Director of many 80s and 90s hits, Esmayeel Shroff is no more. The veteran Bollywood director expired at Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani hospital in Mumbai following an illness. He was 62 years old. Esmayeel Shroff was reportedly admitted almost a month ago after suffering a heart attack. Esmayeel hailed from Andhra Pradesh.
Govinda, Padmini Kolhapure and Ashoke Pandit have now paid tribute to the late filmmaker.
Condoling the sad demise, Ashoke Pandit tweeted, “Sad to know about the demise of ace filmmaker Esmayeel Shroff ji at the age of 82 in Mumbai. Had directed many hits including Ahista Ahista, Bulandi, Thodi Si Bewafai, Surya etc . It’s another big loss to the film industry . Heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti (sic).”
Govinda, whose first film Love 86 was directed by Esmayeel Shroff, mourned the loss of the filmmaker. He told ETimes, “I’m deeply saddened. My career started with his film. Uparwala unko jannat naseeb karaye (may God place his soul in heaven). May his soul rest in peace. Not only did he give me work, but he used to have faith in me, too. He was the first person in my life who said that Govinda understands cinema. He played a big role in making me Govinda from Govind.”
Padmini Kolhapure also recalled working with Esmayeel Shroff. She called him a ‘very sensitive director’ with a ‘smiling face’. She told ETimes, “I did Thodisi Bewafaii and Ahista Ahista with him. Ahista Ahista is very close to my heart. He seemed strict in his demeanor but he had a smiling face. He was very sure about what he wanted and he would put it across. We got along very well as actor-director. He was a very sensitive director. It’s a huge loss. He left his mark in the industry.”
Esmayeel Shroff has directed many Bollywood movies such as Ahista Ahista, Zid, Agar, God and Gun, Police Public, Majhdhaar, Dil Akhir Dil Hai, Bulundi, Nishchaiy, Suryaa and Jhuta Sach. His last film as a director was Thoda Tum Badlo, Thoda Hum, which released in 2004. It featured Arya Babbar and Shriya Saran in lead roles.
On the personal front, Esmayeel Shroff graduated in Sound Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. He later went to Mumbai to pursue his interest in films. He worked as Assistant Director to Bheem Singh and later directed his first film Thodisi Bewafaii.
